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Forest health aerial survey maps
Forest health conditions are dynamic. Alberta monitors for insect, disease, and weather-related disturbances. Since 1998, the province has carried out annual aerial overview surveys (AOS). These surveys record the location and severity of disturbances caused by forest health damage agents (FHDA) on forested lands. AOS are foundational to forest health monitoring in Alberta. They are a cost-effective method for detecting and monitoring disturbances to Alberta’s forested areas, providing valuable information on forest pest conditions.
Initially, AOS mapping included only large-scale, FHDA-caused disturbances (for example, defoliators and bark beetles). Recent climate change and extreme weather events have led to mapping other potential issues. These could include introductions of new FHDA and/or range expansions of current ones within Alberta; and more frequent abiotic damage such as hail, large wind events, and drought. Climate change can also affect the frequency and severity of abiotic damaging agents, such as hail or large wind events. Information from aerial overview surveys helps understand the impacts of forest pests and other disturbances, and to predict how climate change might affect forest disturbances in the future.
Here are aerial survey maps and data pertaining to AOS in Alberta:
- Aspen Defoliators
- Mountain Pine Beetle
- Spruce Beetle
- Abiotic and Unknown Damage Agent
- Other Biotic Damage Agent
- Spruce Budworm
Forest health aerial survey map data
Forest Health data now available on the GeoDiscover website
- GeoDiscover Aerial Overview surveys 2011 - current
- Aerial Overview Surveys 2011 – current
- Aerial Overview Surveys 1998 – 2010
- Mountain Pine Beetle Inventory 2011 – current
- Mountain Pine Beetle Inventory 1975 – 2010
Publications
Forest Health Annual Report
Alberta’s government publishes an annual series of forest health reports to provide a regional summary of major forest damage agents (excluding wildfire disturbance), initiatives focussed on pest and disease management, and climate conditions in Alberta. Forest areas reported include:
- Calgary Forest Area
- Edson Forest Area
- Lac La Biche – Fort McMurray Forest Areas
- Peace River – High Level Forest Area
- Rocky Mountain House Forest Area
- Slave Lake Forest Area
- Whitecourt Forest Area
The annual reports include:
- details on work to detect, monitor, assess and manage insects, diseases and other disturbances that affect the health of our forests
- overviews of programs in place to address notable forest disturbance in the province
- reviews of the past and predicted future climate conditions that may impact forest health
To access the reports, visit the Open Government Portal at:
Archival annual reports
Forest health reporting was previously published in a provincial report prior to 2019 and can still be viewed online. Visit the Open Government Portal at:
Bugs and Diseases Newsletter
The Bugs and Diseases Newsletter informs forest industry, other forestry-related personnel and the public about current forest health issues. It is a fun and informative look at forest health in Alberta.
The newsletter is published each spring and fall.
To subscribe, email: [email protected].
Resources
Educational materials
The following forest health-related materials are available for use by students and educators.
Fact sheets
Check out the resources below for more information on forest health issues in Alberta.
Contact
Connect with Alberta Forest Health and Adaptation:
Email: [email protected]
Talk to Alberta Forestry staff in your area: Forestry Area Office Contacts
Related
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Forest pests